The Starke County Commissioners opened the floor to the public for a solar discussion during their meeting Monday.
Continue readingStarke County Commissioners to Consider Moratorium on Solar Projects
Starke County Commissioners Deny Request to Open More Land to Solar Development
The Starke County Commissioners denied a request Monday to make more land available for the Mammoth Solar Project near Bass Lake. A petition to rezone the Redlin property south of U.S. 35 was denied by a vote of two-to-one, with Mark Gourley opposing the motion. Rezoning the land from Commercial to Agriculture would have allowed for the placement of solar panels.
Continue readingGovernor Says Local Residents ‘Should Be Front and Center’ in Solar Project Discussions
While dignitaries from around the world converged on Starke County last week to kick off construction on one of the country’s largest solar farms, the reaction from local landowners has been mixed. Speaking to reporters after Thursday’s groundbreaking, Governor Eric Holcomb said he welcomes the input, when it comes to projects on an unprecedented scale.
Continue readingRailroad Township Residents Question Proposed Solar Development
A proposed Railroad Township solar farm drew a large and somewhat skeptical crowd to an informational meeting Wednesday. NextEra Energy Resources is looking to build a 144-megawatt second phase of the Dunns Bridge Solar Project in Railroad Township.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Makes Moss Creek Solar Project Eligible for Tax Abatement
Another planned solar farm is eligible for a tax abatement in Pulaski County. The county council passed a preliminary resolution Monday to designate the Moss Creek Solar Project as an economic revitalization area. Brian Young cast the lone opposing vote.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA Grants Special Exception for Moss Creek Solar
Another Pulaski County solar farm has gotten the green light from the board of zoning appeals. The BZA approved a special exception Monday for the Moss Creek Solar project, with Board President Derrick Stalbaum abstaining. That was despite opposition from members of the public, as well as questions about the legality of the board’s actions from both opponents and the developer itself.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA to Take Comments on Moss Creek Solar Project Tonight
Pulaski County residents can weigh in on a proposed solar farm tonight. Moss Creek Solar is seeking permission from the board of zoning appeals to build a 1,600-acre solar development on farmland in Beaver Township. It would be developed by NextEra Energy Resources and could be up and running by the end of 2023.
Continue readingLt. Gov. Expects General Assembly to Revisit Solar, Wind Farm Regulations
Renewable energy projects could change the landscape of parts of rural Indiana, but whether that’s a change communities should embrace continues to be debated.
Continue readingStarke County Solar Projects Keep Moving Forward
Solar development is ramping up in Starke County, according to Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Lisa Dan. She told the North Judson Town Council Monday that the Starke Solar/Mammoth Solar project south of Bass Lake is expected to break ground in October, with construction to be complete by the summer of 2023.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Approves First Step in Mammoth Solar Tax Abatement Process
Pulaski County officials are hopeful that revenues from the Mammoth Solar development could pay for much of the Justice Center and Courthouse projects, even though the developers are requesting the maximum possible tax abatement.
Continue readingPulaski County Council to Discuss Solar Tonight
The Pulaski County Council is expected to get an update on solar farm development tonight. The council has been asked to consider a tax abatement for the Mammoth Solar project, but litigation over the project has delayed those discussions.
Continue readingFailure of House Bill 1381 Could Mean Higher Energy Costs, Warns Author
The failure of a bill to implement statewide standards for wind and solar development could ultimately lead to higher energy prices. That’s according to State Representative Ed Soliday, the author of House Bill 1381.
Continue readingAnother Solar Farm Proposed for Pulaski County
Another solar farm proposal could soon be making its way to the Pulaski County Board of Zoning Appeals. NextEra Energy Resources has announced plans for the Moss Creek Solar Project.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Finalize Updates to Solar Regulations
The Pulaski County Commissioners have finalized updates to the county’s solar farm regulations, but not without some concerns from Commissioner Chuck Mellon. The commissioners Monday approved the amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance recommended by the advisory plan commission on March 11. The adjustments beef up setback and screening requirements, among other things.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA Approves another Special Exception for Mammoth Solar Project
A proposed solar farm has passed another approval round with the Pulaski County Board of Zoning Appeals. Board members approved a special exception request for the Mammoth Solar project Monday. It adds almost 4,700 acres to the project’s footprint.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Pass Resolution Opposing House Bill 1381
Pulaski County has joined in the opposition against a bill that would shift control of wind and solar farm development to the state. The county commissioners passed a resolution Monday opposing House Bill 1381. Commissioner Chuck Mellon said the resolution expresses their “support for local control of land use decisions.”
Continue readingPulaski County BZA to Hold another Hearing on Proposed Solar Farm Tonight
Pulaski County residents will once again be weighing in on solar farm development tonight. The board of zoning appeals will hold a public hearing over Mammoth Solar’s request for permission to install solar panels on almost 4,700 acres of farm ground. They would be placed in three separate sections in Franklin, Jefferson, Monroe, and Rich Grove townships.
Continue readingPulaski Plan Commission Sends Updated Solar Regulations to County Commissioners but Proposed State Legislation Could Supersede Them
Updates to Pulaski County’s solar farm regulations got the approval of the county’s advisory plan commission Thursday. The proposed adjustments would beef up setback and screening requirements.
Continue readingPulaski County Plan Commission to Take Comments on Proposed Changes to Solar Regulations
Pulaski County residents will have a chance to weigh in on the county’s solar farm regulations tonight. The advisory plan commission is proposing a number of changes to the Unified Development Ordinance.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA to Hold Another Solar Hearing Next Month
A proposed solar farm development will be back before the Pulaski County Board of Zoning Appeals next month. Board members will take comments on a special exception request for Mammoth Solar. Developers are seeking permission to install solar panels on almost 4,700 acres. They would be placed in three separate sections in Franklin, Jefferson, Monroe, and Rich Grove townships.
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